Is rivers of blood really that strong in PvE?

[elstirthibaut]

I'm asking because while his skill does a lot of damage it requires time to do all those attacks; that could be an issue no?
like i have blood slash and it feels really safe with it in 1v1 in PvE in comparison but when i take out rivers of blood it kinda feels like i must be prepared to take damage from mobs that don't die in a few hits.
also what about ng+ is it really usefull here? and would blood slash reach its limits here?

[Sparhawk 59]

it used to be a lot better. they nerfed bleed proc but just buffed its hit damage

[River]

It's still pretty good, but it's nowhere near what it used to be.

[Fineous🔥]

Get a Mogh trident instead....unless you ejoy going around with a butter knife....then get the katana.

[An Irate Walrus]

It used to be a "delete everything, up to and including Malenia" weapon when fully upgraded.

Now it's still serviceable, but nowhere near what it used to be.

[elstirthibaut]

would moonveil be better for ng+ ?

[Sparhawk 59]

Originally posted by elstirthibaut:

would moonveil be better for ng+ ?

yes that is stronger last time i checked

[C1REX]

Rivers of blood got nicely balanced. It’s still very strong but not against every single enemy in the game.

It’s still my favourite weapon against Malenia on ng+ runs.

[frowningmirror]

By the time you get it, the only bosses left are weak or neutral to fire. Its a fire katana, so you can't really go wrong leveling it up if you saved the runes and upgrades for it.

[elstirthibaut]

i was considering it for trying ng+
i tried moonlight a bit but wasn't impressed maybe i respeced poorly though..
the more agressive style of the rivers of blood is nice

[Fineous🔥]

Why the obsession with katanas?....when you have and amazing looking god-tier weapon wich ignores logic.....and breaks the Elden Ring Geneva convention.
Buy and use a Mogh trident today....you will go far.

[Lenox]

Originally posted by Fineous:

Why the obsession with katanas?

Someone told me once that it's the influence of anime for those born in the early 90s or after. Not saying that's a bad thing, but it's not something I've had a lot of exposure to. Except with Leonardo from the Ninja Turtles (lol). If you're older, anime wasn't really popular growing up and seeing a katana in-game isn't more or less exciting than other choices.

Originally posted by elstirthibaut:

I'm asking because while his skill does a lot of damage it requires time to do all those attacks; that could be an issue no?
like i have blood slash and it feels really safe with it in 1v1 in PvE in comparison but when i take out rivers of blood it kinda feels like i must be prepared to take damage from mobs that don't die in a few hits.
also what about ng+ is it really useful here? and would blood slash reach its limits here?

I've never used Rivers of Blood, but I have used an Uchigatana. And using it provided the easiest play of any weapon I've used to date.

What did that ease translate into, you ask? About 5, 10, 15 levels lower that I was able to complete encounters and shaved of 1-2 minutes off of boss kill times.

I've been told that Rivers of Blood is even better than that.

[Fineous🔥]

Originally posted by Lenox:

Originally posted by Fineous:

Why the obsession with katanas?

Someone told me once that it's the influence of anime for those born in the early 90s or after. Not saying that's a bad thing, but it's not something I've had a lot of exposure to. Except with Leonardo from the Ninja Turtles (lol). If you're older, anime wasn't really popular growing up and seeing a katana in-game isn't more or less exciting than other choices.

I know......but why go around with an oversized shaving razor? When you have something that ignores walls, floors, time and space melting every single living thing around you....i just killed Malenia without even bothering and then broke her chair with it.
Dont be afraid of GREATNESS OP....you character deserves better than just a butter knife (Even if Donatello or the Pokemon dragon balls dude used one)

[Lenox]

Originally posted by Fineous:

Originally posted by Lenox:

Someone told me once that it's the influence of anime for those born in the early 90s or after. Not saying that's a bad thing, but it's not something I've had a lot of exposure to. Except with Leonardo from the Ninja Turtles (lol). If you're older, anime wasn't really popular growing up and seeing a katana in-game isn't more or less exciting than other choices.

I know......but why go around with an oversized shaving razor? When you have something that ignores walls, floors, time and space melting every single living thing around you....i just killed Malenia without even bothering and then broke her char with it.
Dont be afraid of GREATNESS OP....you character deserves better than just a butter knife (Even if Donatello or the Pokemon dragon balls dude used one)

Lol...well, I personally do not like the flashy weapons. So I can't speak for others. For example, my Astrologer's primary weapons were Short Sword, Caestus, and Rapier. In addition to staves. And that's even with getting 18 other weapons to max level.

[Elden Chad]

When I did a dex play through I dual wielded. And I believe my dex play through was on NG+2.

Left hand rivers of blood and hand of malenia in right. I, personally, liked waterfowl dance more than the rivers of blood weapon skill. I was still getting bleed a lot with the double katanas.
As for taking damage, you can use talismans. Takers Cameo will give you HP back on each kill and Godskin Swaddling Cloth will give HP back on successive attacks, and, as you know, katanas attack fast. That should really cut down the damage you're taking.